U.S. President George W. Bush speaks on the podium as Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Israel's President Shimon Peres listen during a welcoming ceremony in Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel. Bush arrived in the Middle East on a three-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Bush Visits the Middle East

President George Bush promised the people who live in the Middle East that he will help bring peace to their region. Bush visited seven countries in the Middle East.

The president spent eight days in the region. He met with the leaders of the nations.
Bush was overseas from January 8th to January 16th. Bush is entering the final year of his term in office.

The president's staff said the goal of the trip was to support freedom and justice in the Middle East. Bush delivered a major speech on January 13th in the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Blames Iran for violence
In his speech, Bush said the desire for liberty (freedom) is the greatest weapon in the fight against terrorists. Peace in the Middle East has been difficult to achieve. Bush blamed the country of Iran for much of the violence. He said Iran is now the leading state supporter of terror.

The United States is going to increase its security efforts in the Persian Gulf, Bush said. The effort is needed to help confront the threat of Iran, he said.

The president also said al Qaeda is the other cause of violence in the Middle East. Al Qaeda is the organization that is blamed for killing 3,000 people in terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001.

Bush said free elections are another important step in bringing peace to the Middle East. Some of the nations that Bush visited are taking steps toward freer elections.

Free and just societies need citizens who take part in the decisions that affect them, Bush said.
Bush visited Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt on the trip.